From the moment she applied to Barnard, psychology major and urban teaching minor Olivia Toevs ’25 knew she wanted to become a public school teacher. It wasn’t until she began her summer internship for the Salvadori Center — an education administration program that partners with local schools — and after completing a program at a local middle school that the grade level to teach became clear. Toevs decided she wants to work with fifth and sixth graders in the future.
The fieldwork-intensive internship allows Toevs to experience the “behind the scenes” of teaching by collaborating with experienced educators in Salvadori’s Riverside Drive office. Her role is to scaffold project-based science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) curricula — from writing project instructions to sourcing materials. Toevs also visits K-12 public schools across New York City to observe how a theorized curriculum manifests within a classroom.
Much of the in-school or after-school programs offered by the Salvadori Center are hands-on and look at how the built environment — one involving bridges, parks, buildings, and communities — is made possible by a STEAM education.
“It has been meaningful to work with New York State standards and reimagine what culturally sustaining pedagogy, especially math and science education, can look like,” said Toevs.
The Salvadori internship was made possible by the inaugural Zwas Community Impact Internship program offered by Beyond Barnard. The program supports students with funding and subsidized housing while they intern for nonprofits based in Morningside Heights and Harlem. While these positions are typically unpaid or underpaid, Zwas provides students with a $6,000 stipend, as well as access to programmatic internship support with professionals in the Beyond Barnard office.
“Barnard prepared me to consider my role in the classroom, build content that is engaging, and reflect critically,” said Toevs. “At Salvadori, I’ve been able to apply these skills directly in the classroom.”
Follow along to see Toevs’ Day in the Life, as one of five students selected to participate in the Zwas Community Impact Internship program.
8 a.m.: I start my day with some quick breakfast and a Trader Joe’s chocolate hazelnut French press.
9 a.m.: I take a nice walk to work because I love being able to commute on foot.
10:30 am.: After a planning session with one of my educator mentors, I arrive at M.S. 258 to assist two 6th-grade classes with an accelerated bridges curriculum. I always said I would never teach middle school, but this has been one of my favorite groups of students to work with.
11 a.m.: Bridges go up! This was one of the final class projects, and it was very exciting to see everyone’s hard work pay off.
1:30 p.m.: After assisting the second class, I take the 1 train back to the office. I usually have lunch in Riverside Park since it’s so close.
2 p.m.: Back in the office! Today I’m working on editing and pulling standards for a Simple Machines curriculum that was recently beta-tested and will be taught by Salvadori educators in the upcoming year.
5 p.m.: After work and dinner, I play some basketball with my friends. Great day on the job, great day on the court!
7 p.m.: After the basketball game, I take a walk along the West Side Highway. I love summer sunsets in New York City.
